PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4887, 8 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[By Telegraph.]

(FEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, This day

• Mr Smith has introduced a bill to place School Inspectors directly under the control of the Minister for Education, Inspectors to be appointed by the Governor, and their salaries and costs paid by the Minister, the same to be recoverable from Education Boards. Inspectors are to be removed not less than once every three years. „ It is reported that on Monday last, Mr Mitchelson, while merely holding office pending the ailetment of his successor's portfolio, gave instructions for the acceptance of a tender on the Stillwaler section of the Brunner-l^elson creeek railway, in Mr Guinness' district, and for a section ou the Catlin's river railway, in Mr J. W. Thomson's district, the. amounts being £15,000 and £8,000 respectively. Mr Guinness had a question on the order paper in reference to the BrunnerNelson creek contract, but when called on on Wednesday last, he quietly allowed it to lapse. This gave rise to suspicion, and an enquiry was made, leading to the discovery that the late Atkinson Ministry had let these contracts a few hours before leaving office. It is said that these were rewards to Messrs Guinness and Thomson for going over to the Atkinson party. The lowest tenderer for the BrunnerNelson Creek extension, however, refuses to take up the contract. Notice will probably be given of questions on the subject when the House meets to-mor-row.

Although nothing is yet definitely settled, I think it so far a certainty that I have no hesitation in saying that Wi Pere will be sworn in during the day or tomorrow morning as a member of the Executive. He will not be hampered with any departmental business, I understand, but will have a seat at all Cabinet meetings, as a sort of adviser-in-chief to the Native Minister. It is rumored that he will enjoy a salary of £400 per annum. Upon fairly good authority, I learn that the chief Wahanui is to be called to the Upper House, and that he will also have a seat in the Executive Council. It is thus apparont from the probability of these appointments, and also from the notable speech made by the Premier on the night of the defeat of the Stout-Vogel Ministry, that the native race is likely to receive more censideration from jthe present Government than has distinguished the adminis tration of previous ministers.